Winterfinding by Daniel Casey

crusaders than we were expecting
for our campaign.” Vikram said to Matis.
    “ More likely it’ll simply
give us what we asked for, but that will be something.” Evness
added.
    Matis waved them both to be silent, “How
does this affect us, Tobin?”
    “ The alm made it clear
that they weren’t set upon by ordinary outlaws, these men had been
hired and sanctioned by a rogue faction within The
Cathedral.”
    “ I’m still not seeing how
it matters,” Matis leaned back in his chair, “Our march on Heveonen
will continue unabated.” Then an idea came to Matis, “However, this
certainly sounds like something that needs to be handled by skilled
diplomats, by three experienced Silvincian lords.”
    “ The Cathedral will be
notified soon enough,” Tobin ignored Matis last comment, “Just as
the Kyria will be.”
    “ And when you finally
return to us with updated instructions,” Matias stood, “I will
faithfully carry them out. Until then, I have a campaign.” Coming
around the map table, he gestured that it was time for the Kyrios
to leave. Tobin and Ewan didn’t move and although Mikkel stuttered
incoherently while shuffling back and forth, he didn’t leave
either.
    Tobin moved closer to the table placing a
finger on the star denoting the city of Sulecin, “We aren’t more
than a few days from The Cathedral. You need to go there in person
and explain we have the alm.”
    Matis laughed, “Why should a Grand General
concern himself with a lowly alm?”
    “ Because if this alm’s
report is true, and I see no reason for it to be false, we could
quickly see the sanction for our move against Essia
dissolve.”
    “ The death or ransom of a
single alm could do nothing of the sort.
    “ She’s no ordinary
alm…
    “ Even if she’s a daughter
of a vicegerent, it can’t impact us.”
    “ She is the ward of the
man who many think will be the next Patriarch.”
    “ So return her, Tobin,
curry the favor your superior Tamas wants. It will not change my
intent.” Matis said sternly.
    Vikram approached his general and tugged
slightly at his sleeve, whispering, “Sending them alone…we could
lose leverage.”
    Matis thought for a moment and asked Tobin,
“Who did she say was responsible for her abduction?”
    Before Tobin could respond, Mikkel did,
“From her story it’s clear the outlaws had some connection with the
civics in Rikonen and a rogue sect in Sulecin itself.”
    Tobin raised a hand, “It’s not quite…
    Matis cut him off, “Why didn’t you come out
and say so at the outset?”
    “ We did.” Mikkel looked
confused but Matis ignored him.
    “ Who assaulted her is only
a minor point, something to be dealt with internally by the
Cathedral. If they find out we have the alm, safe and sound, and
never told them, we could incur more than mere disfavor.” Tobin
said more than a bit annoyed.
    “ Worry not,” Matis threw
his arms out wide, “We shall return this alm. I shall deliver her
to the vicegerent myself.” Tobin was taken back. He hesitated to
say anything further. A wide smile crept across Matis’s face as he
turned to his lieutenants, “I will deliver her with the strength of
the Silvinician army at my back with which I will root out the
churlish fraternity.”
    “ You would move against
the faith of millions?” Tobin said astonished.
    Matis blinked and replied in faux shock,
“Certainly not. I will be rescuing our great faith from the poison
within it. I was elected as defender of the faith.” Moving towards
Tobin, Matis pressed his finger into the Kyrio’s chest, “By your
own spire’s precious golden boy.” Tobin staggered back
slightly.
    Evness came forward and pulled the canvas of
the pavilion back, “I think you’re done here.” The kyrios slowly
began to leave.
    Before they had disappeared, Matis called to
them, “You will of course inform the Spires of my decision. In
fact, it might be best if you left for Ardavass today.” He leaned
on the table crossing his arms